Engine-starter.



v. BENDIX.

ENGINE STARTER. APPLICATION FILED IUNE 29. 1911.

' Patented Apr. 8,1919.

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V. BENDIX.

ENGINE STARTER.

A P P L C A T l O N F l L E D J U N E 2 9 y 1 9 I lv 1 ,299,41 8 Patented Apr. 8, 1919.4'

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ENGLNE STARTER.

APPLICATIONFILED JUNE 29,1917.

' 1,299,418, Patented Apr. 8,1919.

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' BYM/WL mnfi cgg lp 2% ATTORN UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VINCENT IBENDIX, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ENGINE-STARTER.

Application filed June 29, 1917. Serial No. 177,757.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VINCENT BENDIX, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Engine-Starters, of which the following is a specification. I

My invention pertains to a part of the organization of a starting device for engines such as explosive engines, and particularly to a part of the transmission or drive between the starting motor and' the engine to be started. According to present practice such an engine is generally started through the fly wheel by means of a pinion actuated in proper manner by the starting motor and meshing with 'teeth either cut on the periphery of the fly wheel or formed in a ring secured to such wheel. Broadly speaking the fly wheel-constitutes a rotatable member of the engine to be started and my invention consists in making such rotatable member in two parts having a relative yielding movement with respect to each other, one part being the fly wheel proper and the other a gear ring which is adapted to slide or slip peripherally on the wheel against the tension of a yielding pressure, such pressure being preferably exerted in both directions. By means of such a construction a yielding means or driving connection is provided between the starting motor and the wheel proper, whose motion is communicated to I the engine to be started.

In the drawing Figure 1 is an elevation of a wheel embodying my invention; Fig. 2 a detail plan of part of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a detail elevation of a modified form of construction; Fig. 4 a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 a detail elevation of another modifiedform of construction; Fig. a section on the line 6--6 of Fig. 5. Fig. an elevation of one form of drive cooperating with the engine wheel; Fig. 8 an end elevation of the pinion and shaft thereof; Fig. 9 an elevation of another form of drive; Fig. 10 a section on the line 1010 of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 an elevation of a modified construction of engine wheel and-gear ring; and Fig. 12 a detail plan of a portion of said wheel and ring,together with one of their springs.

Referring to the embodiment of my invention as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the rotatable member which is adapted to be connected directlyor indirectly with the en- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 8, 1919.

gineto be started is here shown as a fly wheel secured to the crank shaft 1 of the engine. This member comprises two parts, a wheel 2 and a ring 3 having gear teeth 3*. This ring is mounted to slide or slip peripherally of the wheel and by preference such ring is held with a yielding pressure against a peripheral flange or shoulder 2 on the wheel.

The ring is .held' in a normal position by virtue of a yielding means such as pairs of coiled springs 4, which also tend to resist relative movement or slipping ofthe ring in both directions and to restore such ring to its normal position relative to the wheel. These springs are pivotally connected to the ring and wheel at a plurality ofanchoring points, there being in the instance now being movement of the ring in either direction is resisted by the springs which also restore .the ring to normal position. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, washers 7 are provided on the studs 5 which washers have the effect of retaining the gear ring in position with respect to its lateral movement, in which event, the angular disposition of the springs, as above described, may be dispensed with.

When power is first applied to the gear ring through a driving member such as the pinion a, the shock or initial movement is taken or absorbed by these springs, one member of each pair being extended and the other member being contracted. These springs are preferably assembled under tension, in which event both springs are active whichever the direction of rotation of the wheel and ring. The use of springs acting in opposite directions is of advantage to take care of the back lash, of the .ring which'occurs .when the driving load is relieved upon the.

demeshing of the pinion.

As'shown in Fig. 2 these anchoring points are in different planes, those on the gear ring being located in a plane farther out. .from

' pinion has a collar portion plane of the anchoring points on the wheel,

with the result that the springs have the additional function of holding the ring in place upon the wheel periphery and against the shoulder 2 thereof.

In Figs. 3 and 4, I have shown a modified form of construction, particularly as to the anchoring points and the angular relation of the springs of each pair. Vhile in Fig. 1 these springs are at an angle the same in Fig. 3 are in axial alinement. Moreover the common anchoring point 8is connected with the gear ring through the medium of a plate 9 secured to said ring, while the two separate anchorin points 10 are secured to or form a part of the wheel itself. According to this construction the common point 8 is the outermost one and the springs hold the gear ring in place against the shoulder 2 in the manner above described.

In Figs. 5 and 6, I have shown another modified form of construction, according to which the springs which are in axial alinement are connected at their outer ends to separate anchoring points 11 on the gear ring and at their inner ends to a link 12, which is pivoted at its center to a stud 13, forming the common anchoring point on the wheel. The functions of these springs are the same as those above described.

Different forms of drive between -the starting motor "and the engine wheel may be used, and in Figs. 7' and 9 I have illustrated two different forms of drive for such purpose.

Describing the drive shown in Figs. 7

and 8, the starting motor indicated at A has a driving shaft 14 which is here shown as an extended armature shaft, to which is secured by means of the pin 15 a hollow screw shaft 16, said two shafts being in addition and by preference splined to each other by means of the key 17. Upon this screw shaft is screw-threaded the pinion a, which, when the electric motor is started, and the screw shaft thereby rotated, automatically advances longitudinally and into mesh with the gear ring. When the engine starts on its own power the pinion is auto= matically demeshed.

In Figs. 9 and 10 the action of the pinion not automatic but is hand or foot operated. According to this construction the a adapted to be engaged by a shifter 18 for moving such pinion longitudinally ofgthe driving shaft 14 and into mesh with the-fly wheel. So far as my invention is concerned any other kind or type of drive may be employed.

It is preferable but not essential, broadlyin common, inasmuch as the springs may be separately located and secured to the wheel is shownin Figs. 11 and. 12, according to which the springs are arranged separately and in two sets indicated at 19 and 20, such sets being reversed. Preferably the corre sponding springs, that is, the springsacting in the same direction should be arranged equidistantly around the wheel and ring. Moreover, by preference. the springs are arranged at an angle to the plane and direction of rptation with the result that the ring is yieldingly held against both rotary and longitudinal movements, although this is not essential because of the presence-of the washers 7.

I claim:

1. In combination with a wheel, a gear ring mounted to slide peripherally thereon. and a plurality ofsprings cooperating with said wheel and ring to resist sliding movement of the ring and for holding such ring in place against outward movement on the wheel.

2. In combination with a wheel, a gear ring mounted to slide peripherally thereon, springs cooperating with the wheel and ring and acting to resist peripheral sliding movement of the ring in both directions. and also holding the ring in place against lateral o'utward movement on the. wheel.

3. In combination with a wheel, a.gear ring mounted to slide peripherally thereon, and sets of springs cooperating with the wheel and ring and acting simultaneously 100 to resist peripheral sliding movement of the ring in either direction, at a given time one set acting as compression springs and the other set as extension springs.

4. In combination with a wheel, a gear ring mounted to slide peripherally thereon, and combined means cooperating with the wheel and ring to yieldingly resist peripheral sliding movement of the ring and hold the ring onto the wheel in a direction parallel to their axes.

5.'In combination with a wheel, a gear ring mounted to slide peripherally thereon, and pairs of springs cooperating with the wheel and ring and acting to hold the ring in a normal position, both members of each pair acting simultaneously, one member as a compression spring and the other as an extension spring, to resist movement of the ring in either direction.

6. In combination with a wheel, a gear ring mounted to slide peripherally thereon, anchoring means on said wheel and ring, and pairs of coil springs pivotally connected at their ends to said anchoring means and at all times actlng snnultaneously, at

ring mounted to slide peripherally thereon, anchoring means on said wheel and ring and coil springs pivotally connected at their ends to said anchoring means and the inner ends of the members of each pair being con nected with the same anchoring means, all of said springs acting simultaneously to resist movement of the ring in either direction, one member of each pair of springs at a given time acting as a compression spring and the other as an extension spring.

8. In combination with a Wheel, a gear ring mounted to slide peripherally thereon, and pairs of springs cooperating with the wheel and ring and acting to hold the ring in a normal position and to resist movement in either direction, the members of each pair being connected to the wheel and ring respectively at three anchoring points, the inner ends of the springs of each pair being connected to a common anchoring point and the outer ends to the other two points.

9. In combination with a wheel, a gear ring mounted to slide peripherally thereon, and pairs of coiled springs cooperating with the wheeland ring and acting to hold the ring in a normal position and to resist movement thereof in either direction, the wheel and ring having three anchoring points for each pair of springs, a common point for the inner ends of the members of each pair and two separate points for the outer ends thereof, which latter oints are arranged on opposite sides 0 the common point.

10. In combination with a wheel, a gear ring mounted to slide pivotally thereon, and yielding means for resisting such sliding movement and also for holding the ring in place on the wheel against axial movement of the ring thereon. I

1 1. In combination with a wheel having a peripheral projection, a gear ring mounted to slide peripherally on the wheel and normally held in contact with said projection, and means for so holding the ring with a yielding pressure.

. 12. In combination with a wheel having a peripheral shoulder, a gear ring mounted to slide peripherally on the wheel, and yielding means for holding the ring against said shoulder.

13. In combination with a wheel having a peripheral shoulder, a gear ring mounted to slide peripherally on the wheel, and yieldlng means cooperating with the wheel and ring and acting to resist sliding movement of the ring and to hold such ring againstsaid shoulder.

14:. In combination with a wheel having 15. In combination with a wheel having a peripheral shoulder, a gear ring mounted to slide peripherally on the wheel, and springs anchored at their ends to the wheel and ring respectively, the points of anchorage on the wheel and ring being in different planes parallel with the plane of the wheel whereby such ring is held against said shoulder by the springs.

16. In combination with a wheel having a peripheral shoulder, a gear ring mounted to slide peripherally on the wheel, and pairs of springs anchored at their ends to the wheel and ring respectively, the members of each pair having a common point of anchorage on the wheel and separate points on the ring and on either side of said common point, said separatepoints projecting beyond the plane of said common point, whereby said springs hold the ring against said shoulder.

17. In an engine starter, a wheel connected with the engine to be started, a gear ring mounted to slide peripherally on the wheel, springs cooperating with said wheel and ring and acting in opposite directions to each other tending to resist said sliding movement of the ring, both when the wheel is the driven element and when it is the driving element, in combination with a motor, a shaft driven thereby,.and a pinion mounted on and positively driven by the shaft, said pinion being arranged to mesh with and drive the ring.

18. In an engine starter, a wheel connected with the engine to be started, a gear ring mounted to slide peripherally on the wheel, springs cooperating with said wheel and ring and acting simultaneously in opposite directions to each other tending to resist said sliding movement of the ring, in combination with a motor, a shaft driven thereby, a screwshaft mounted on and positively driven thereby, and a pinion mounted on the screw shaft and having longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, said pinion being arranged to mesh with the ring.

19. A rotatable shaft, a driving member mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, in combination with a wheel of the engine to be started, said wheel having a portion with which said member is adapted to have driving engagement when advanced longitudinally on its shaft and which is mounted on said wheel to yield peripherally in opposite directions, both when the wheel is the driven element and when it is the driving element.

20. A rotatable shaft, a pinion mounted thereon for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith, in combination with a wheel of the engine to be started, said wheel having a gear ring with which said pinion is adapted to mesh when advanced longitudinally on its shaft and which is arranged to yieldingly slide peripherally in opposite directions, both when the wheel is the drivenelement and when it is thedriving element. c

21. In an engine starter, a wheel connected with the engine to be started, a gear ring mounted to slide peripherally on the Wheel, springs cooperating with said wheel and ring and acting simultaneously in opposite directions to each other tending to resist said sliding movementof the ring whereby a resilient driving action is provided for the wheel both when it is the driven element and when the driving element, in combination with a motor, a shaft driven thereby, and a pinion mounted on said shaft and arranged to mesh with and drive the ring.

A. starting motor, a rotatable driving member operatively connected therewith and mounted for longitudinal movement with respect thereto, in combination with a wheel of the engine to be started, said wheel having a portion with which said member is adapted to have driving engagement when advanced longitudinally and which is mounted on said wheel to yield peripherally in opposite directions, both when the wheel is the driven element and when it is the driving element.

VIN CENT BENDIX. 

